CG restores old pension, MP presents separate child budget

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the webinar for discussing budget related announcements of Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, DIPAM. This culminates the series of 11 budget related webinars that the Prime Minister addressed.  Modi participated budget webinar relating to Ministries and Deparments of Higher Education, Rural Development, Agriculture, Defence, Health, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade DPIIT, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Department of Economic Affairs and DIPAM. The Union Budget-2022 has made several announcements for the economic growth of the country and to further the well-being of our people. These webinars were conducted with the objective of sustaining  momentum of the Budget and to create a sense of ownership by all stakeholders in its implementation. These webinars have covered a diverse spectrum of subjects like SMART agriculture, PM Gatishakti, Aatmanirbharta in defence, digital education and dynamic skilling, inclusive and equitable healthcare delivery, Make in India and financing for aspirational economy etc.The Prime Minister's Office said, the main objectives for organizing the webinars were developing a sense of ownership among the key stakeholders for the Budget. This exercise will also help ministries and departments to hit the ground running as soon as the new fiscal year begins and also ensure time-bound implementation. Consultation with various stakeholders helps bring their practical or global expertise and experience and to identify lacunae. The shifting of budget to 1st February and these interactions in the webinars enables state governments get better visibility of priorities and thus plan their budgets better.

-Union Cabinet has cleared a proposal for amendment of Second Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 for specifying the rate of royalty in respect of Glauconite, Potash, Emerald, Platinum Group of Metals, Andalusite, Sillimanite, and Molybdenum. It will ensure auction of mineral blocks in respect of Glauconite, Potash, Emerald, Platinum Group of Metals, Andalusite, and Molybdenum thereby reducing the import of these minerals. The approval will lead to import substitution in respect of many important minerals for the economy of the country thereby saving valuable forex reserves. It will reduce country's foreign dependency through the local production of minerals. The approval will also ensure auction of mineral blocks of Glauconite, Potash, Emerald, Platinum Group of metals, Andalusite and Molybdenum for the first time in the country.

-BJP has alleged that the leaders of Maharashtra's ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi are conspiring with police to frame its senior leaders in false cases and demanded a CBI probe into the matter. Briefing media in New Delhi, party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, while quoting a recording of alleged conversation of State's special public prosecutor said he was collaborating with some Ministers of the Maharashtra government and officials to framing senior BJP leaders including Devendra Fadnavis in false cases. Poonawalla on Wednesdy alleged that state government is working to suppress the opposition voice. He also alleged that the State police is involved in alleged extortion and conspiracy.

-A BJP delegation led by party's poll incharge for Uttar Pradesh and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday approached Election Commission and filed complaint against Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. They demanded legal action on Yadav for false and vicious propaganda. Talking to media after meeting Election Commission,  Pradhan said, the language used by Yadav is dangerous for democracy. He said, Akhilesh Yadav is desperate as he fears defeat in Uttar Pradesh. Pradhan said, Yadav  should accept people's mandate. The BJP leader said, the truth of what happened in Varanasi on Tuesda is known to all parties, but, by using objectionable language, by questioning EVM and credibility of the Election Commission, Akhilesh Yadav has not only insulted the voters but also of the sanctity of democratic processes. He said, like every time, the unfounded apprehensions ahead of the election results show their desperation. In the memorandum, the party said, the Commission must assert its authority in absolute terms and ensure that strong measures are taken to protect the counting venues and the counting process. It said, win or lose, political parties or anti-social elements at their behest, cannot be allowed to derail the democratic or electoral processes. The party said, irresponsible leaders of such political parties, who are inciting and provoking the anti-social elements to create disturbance, must be dealt with effectively as per the electoral laws and other available legal remedies.

-In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, one person was killed and 14 injured in a mysterious explosion at Salathia Chowk in Udhampur district on Wednesday. It is said  that the blast took place around 1 PM under a vending cart at a vegetable market near the Tehsildar Office. CRPF and J&K Police personnel arrived at the incident site and started investigating the nature of the explosion. In a tweet, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said the blast occurred near Tehsildar office at Udhampur.  He said, he is in touch with D.C  on a minute-to-minute basis. Dr. Singh added that the exact cause and origin of the blast are being worked out.

-In Madhya Pradesh, Finance Minister Jagdish Deora presented the state government's budget of Rs 2 lakh 79 thousand two hundred thirty seven crore for the year 2022-23 in the state assembly on Wednesday. No new tax has been imposed in the state budget nor has the tax rates been increased. For the first time, a separate child budget has been included in the main budget in which 220 schemes of 17 departments have been included. A total provision of Rs 57 thousand 800 crore rupees has been made for the child budget. Ten thousand crore rupees have been made in the budget for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, while Rs 2 thousand 930 crore rupees has been made for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Rs 2 thousand crore rupees for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, a crop insurance scheme. A provision of 26 thousand 941 crores rupees has been made for Scheduled Tribes and 19 thousand 20 crores rupees for Scheduled Castes in the budget. To promote electric vehicles in the state, 217 electronic vehicle charging stations will be set up. Charging stations will also be built in Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur through PPP mode. The state government has announced a new Prakhar scheme for meritorious students. 22 new medical colleges will be set up in the state. Medical Device Park has also been approved in Ujjain.

-Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel presented the budget for the next financial year in the state assembly on Wednesday No new tax has been imposed in this budget of Rs 1 lakh 4 thousand crores. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel made several announcements for various sections. The old pension scheme has been restored for the government officers and employees of the state. It has also been announced to waive the examination fees of the local participants of Chhattisgarh state in all the competitive examinations conducted by the Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board and the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission. Apart from increasing the amount of MLA fund from Rs 2 crore to Rs 4 crore, the honorarium of various panchayat representatives including the district panchayat president and sarpanch has also been increased. In the budget.